BRIDGEPORT, CONN. — After earning a ring with his pitching, Josh Miller went out and bought one for his girlfriend.

Josh Miller delivers a pitch as part of his six-inning gem Thursday night. (Courtesy of Patriots)

Miller, who interviewed for several business-related jobs in the months after helping the Somerset Patriots to the 2009 Atlantic League championship, even devised a proposal plan.

Then, a few days prior to Thanksgiving, the phone rang with a reminder that baseball wasn’t yet done with him.

The offer to play in a winter league coaxed Miller to Venezuela and immediately changed the direction of his offseason — leading to his return to the Patriots and the first Opening Day start of his career Thursday night against the Bridgeport Bluefish at Harbor Yard.

“I had been throwing just in case somebody called,” said Miller, who, before leaving for Venezuela, threw together a new marriage proposal that his girlfriend accepted. “I’ve still got the itch to play. You hope that every time you go down there somebody is watching and can appreciate how you pitch.”

About the Author

Mike AshmoreA new resident of Raritan after many years in Three Bridges, Mike Ashmore is a 2001 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School who began his career covering professional sports two years later. Since then, he's covered countless other teams and events ranging from the Stanley Cup Final, World Series, Daytona 500, NFL, UFC and many others as a freelancer working in the area. Mike is now in his fourth season of covering the Somerset Patriots for MyCentralJersey.com, and 14th season overall.E-mail Mike

Ryan DunleavyRyan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.E-mail Ryan